How to start lifting weights?

[Anonymous]

I've never lifted weights, but I want to start. Any suggestions on a free video? I usually just do a few push ups here and there.

[Anonymous]

Peloton app is free for a month and you can do lots of strength classes.

[Anonymous]

Join a gym. Hire a trainer to show you the ropes and get you started on a program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Join a gym. Hire a trainer to show you the ropes and get you started on a program.

Meh... I belonged to Washington Sports Clubs before the pandemic. The trainers there seemed to focus their programs on creating soreness in clients' muscles so they would think they had a workout rather than on teaching them good programming or form on the big compound lifts. I saw personal training clients do 1000 lateral raises (an isolation exercise targeting small muscles, usually with light weight) and curls (an ego exercise) for every bench press (a compound movement), and I NEVER saw personal training clients do squats or deadlifts. The few times I saw female clients doing bench, it was with an empty bar (week after week, month after month). Meanwhile, the women who learned for themselves (and the female trainers, when no clients were around) were pushing real weight and making gains.

Caveat emptor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Peloton app is free for a month and you can do lots of strength classes.

This is what I did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join a gym. Hire a trainer to show you the ropes and get you started on a program.

Meh... I belonged to Washington Sports Clubs before the pandemic. The trainers there seemed to focus their programs on creating soreness in clients' muscles so they would think they had a workout rather than on teaching them good programming or form on the big compound lifts. I saw personal training clients do 1000 lateral raises (an isolation exercise targeting small muscles, usually with light weight) and curls (an ego exercise) for every bench press (a compound movement), and I NEVER saw personal training clients do squats or deadlifts. The few times I saw female clients doing bench, it was with an empty bar (week after week, month after month). Meanwhile, the women who learned for themselves (and the female trainers, when no clients were around) were pushing real weight and making gains.

Caveat emptor.

I am usually skeptical of trainers in big box gyms too, but those in my current Gold’s are all very good. They actually bring their female clients to the weight room and make them move some decent weights. I am pretty serious myself and I have learned by hiring trainers. Learning squats and deadlifts on your own is not that easy and the trainers can help you address any weaknesses and mobility issues that you might not realize you have.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford a good trainer, that's definitely the way to go. Good form is really important, esp for deadlifts, and it can be hard to tell if you're doing it wrong. If you can't, look at some YouTube videos for tips. Focus on legs (deadlifts, squats, lunges, single legs) and whole body exercises (push ups, renegade rows, plank reaches, pull-ups). Forget the targeted exercises (curls, triceps, calves, forearms).

[Anonymous]

I found out about Madeline Moves from here - see her Instagram for workouts. She also has an app.

[Anonymous]

I invested in a trainer a few years ago and went to them for about 3 months. I use the training program they developed for me and exercises they showed me to this day. I also got a book about lifting weights for beginners so I would understand proper form.

[Anonymous]

YouTube videos

[Anonymous]

Try les mills bodypump classes. You can do it with hand weights. I could never motivate myself to do weights on my own but with a structured class it’s more fun.

[Anonymous]

Follow the directions here: https://stumptuous.com/category/training/dork_to_diva

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Peloton app is free for a month and you can do lots of strength classes.

This is what I did.

Yes! And they have specific videos for beginners and some targeted for learning a certain exercise. Lots of filters to help you find the right class. The instructors give variations and are really great.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all!